Teen admits laptop child image charges

AN 18-YEAR-OLD schoolboy pleaded guilty to

AN 18-YEAR-OLD schoolboy pleaded guilty to 20 counts of making indecent images of children.

The images, which included the most serious level five, were discovered when the boy's father's computer was taken in for repair but was found to be irreparable.

His father asked that his hard drive be backed up and when this was done, staff found the pictures.

They immediately alerted police, who arrested the boy on December 11 last year at his Beckenham address. After searching the property, they discovered a second laptop which contained more indecent images.

The youth claimed he was addicted to gratifying himself over the images and that he had used the pictures for his own purpose.

Before sentencing, Magistrate, Mr Burgess, said he required further reports from Bromley Youth Offending Team.